The Immunobiology Program

One key to the success of any future cell-based therapy-successfully transplant and maintain cells in a patient-will require a better understanding of how the immune system develops and functions. Researchers in our Immunobiology program at ICE are keen to unravel the molecular mechanisms behind the human immune system as well as how stem cells differentiate into specialized immune cells. Using a combination of molecular, cellular and genomic biology techniques as well as mouse models, the Immunobiology labs strive to unravel the mysteries of how the immune system distinguishes between self and non-self and how that might be harnessed to improve transplantation therapies and treatments.

The Immunobiology Program at Johns Hopkins’ Institute for Cell Engineering

Stephen Desiderio introduces the Immunobiology Program, where scientists study how our immune system works and look for ways to bolster it.

Magnetic Nanoparticles Could Be Key To Effective Immunotherapy Results of a study led by Johns Hopkins investigators suggests that a device composed of a magnetic column paired with custom-made magnetic nanoparticles may hold a key to bringing the body’s own immune system to better fight cancer and infection.

Key Found To Restoring 'Exhausted' HIV-Fighting Immune Cells Researchers have identified a protein that causes loss of function in immune cells combating HIV. The scientists report that the protein, Sprouty-2, is a promising target for future HIV drug development, since disabling it could help restore the cells' ability to combat the virus.